Authenticity Opens Doors, Don’t Hide Who You Are

Authenticity opens doors. Don’t hide who you are. Your voice has power. Do you see the picture above?

Many years ago when social media started, I didn’t even want to think about having my photo as my profile picture.

I just could not fathom the invasion of my personal space. I loved taking pictures but I was old school and needed to embrace the new media. Well, are you surprised that I work in the cyber privacy and security arena?

It took me a while to embrace this thing called online visibility.

What changed my mind to activate strategic visibility?

I realized that I had messages to share, strategies to teach, people who needed to hear what I had to say for them to be set free. Besides, people really wanted to know who they were talking to or communicating with; not a logo or avatar.

Once upon a time, I sent a LinkedIn connection request to someone and she sent me a message saying she could not connect with me because I didn’t have my picture up.

I took a bold step and became visible. I thought to myself, “Why not, after all I love taking pictures when I am ready. That is, all done up, make up mode in operation, lights, camera, action. If I want to embrace the next level, then I must be visible.”

I decided that for me to embrace the new media thing and operate with the spirit of excellence, then I had to be on top of things and invest in professional headshots.

I knew that if I was going to help people, then better not look like they need to seriously help me!

Fast forward to now, I have my pictures with inspirational messages and even have my photograph as my book cover on my latest book, Assigned. I did it!

I went through my own metamorphosis to embrace the next level. Doors opened and here I am. It wasn’t easy but I had to go through the process of recognizing that a shift needed to happen.

Let me encourage you as you read this post – make that move you have been talking about for years. Yes, be the voice in the boardroom. Speak up for those who can’t speak up for themselves. Just be yourself.

Grab a seat at the table, be there and make a difference.

Belinda Enoma is an international speaker, cyber privacy and security consultant focusing on US-EU laws. She is a renowned digital influencer, author, business builder, ordained pastor, host of iEmancipateMe Global Conferences and mentor to women who are life changers. She has consulted in several Fortune 500 corporations across Europe and the U.S. If you are looking for a TV commentator or speaker for your conference, click here or call 646-494-2125. For an official bio, click here For the back story, click here

What are you struggling with that needs to change for your next level to be activated? Think about it.